Fire Investigation

Arson is the deliberate destruction of property using fire as a weapon and is a crime that affects both individual victims and the community as a whole. It is one of the largest single causes of major fires in America.

The Arson Investigation Bureau, lead by Chief Investigator, William Martin, is responsible for conducting fire scene and follow-up investigations for all incendiary or suspicious fires. In addition, Arson Investigators, including Deputy Fire Investigators, James Cyganiewicz and Kevin Rainier, are called to determine the origin and cause of fires that are not immediately discernible to the Incident Commander. The Bureau also investigates fire related deaths, life threatening burn injuries and others.

The Problem

Arson is the deliberate destruction of property using fire as a weapon. In Horry County, the cost of malicious fires to the community will affect everyone.

Arson is a crime that affects both individual victims and the community as a whole. It is one of the largest single causes of major fires in America.

Deputy Fire Investigator James Cyganiewicz and Navy a K-9 Arson Dog, were partnered in 2007 in Alfred, Maine. They were trained as a team by Maine Specialty Dogs. Upon completion of their training they both were certified by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. This training was made possible through a scholarship from the State Farm Arson Dog Program. Navy is a golden rertriever/labrador mix and specializes in sniffing accelerants used to ignite fires. We would like to thank these organizations in their support with the Arson Dog Program.

How can arson affect me?

Arson causes damage to property, that could be yours, or close to your home. In Horry County, the main arson incidents relate to abandoned vehicles, empty properties, trash fires and dumpster fires. These cause a danger to the community.